This October 2014 Dr. Jacob Garzon decided to retire from
our department after more that four decades of exemplary service and
commitment.Dr. Garzon has been a pioneer
in the development of minimally invasive surgery at this institution. He was
instrumental in developing our liaison with LaSalle Hospital.

Dr. Garzon has
personally mentored hundreds of residents and young staff surgeons. His
excellent surgical skills and his calm demeanor provided an excellent work
environment for all who had the privilege to work with him.He has provided outstanding care and
compassion to his patients and their families over these many years. Although
he has earned a well-deserved retirement Dr. Garzon will be missed by all in
the department and we wish him all the best.

The Department of Surgical Services and the Division of General Surgery are pleased to announce that Dr. Carol-Ann Vasilevsky has been appointed the Director of Colorectal Surgery at eh JGH. She has been an invaluable member of the colorectal team for the last 26 years and will be assuming this next important leadership role as of September 4, 2012.

Dr. Vasilevsky has held many leadership roles in the surgical and education communities, including being president of the Canadian Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons 1998-2001; being the zone V representative of the Quebec Associate of General Surgeons 1999-2008, in addition to serving on the McGill University undergraduate Surgical Education Committee, and as the JGH site coordinator 1992-2012. We look forward to working with Dr. Carol-AnnVasilevsky in her new capacity.

Dr. Philip Gordon

We would also like to take this opportunity to
thank Dr. Philip Gordon for his many years of successful leadership and
stewardship of the colorectal program as he passes the torch to Dr.
Vasilevsky. Through his unwavering advocacy and commitment, he created
the first colorectal program in Canada here at the JGH, and it continues
to be highly regarded.

Dr. Nathan Sheiner was recently awarded the
prestigious designation of Emeritus Professorship in the McGill Department of
Surgery.From July 1, 1976 to May
18, 1992 Dr. Sheiner was Surgeon-in-Chief at the JGH and in May 2013 he will
have completed 50 years of practice.Dr. Sheiner’s superb surgical skills along with his
dedication to teaching students and residents led him to become known as a
“surgeon's surgeon”.Thank you Dr.
Sheiner for your leadership and inspiration.

Dr. Rosenberg, Chief of Surgical Services challenged the JGH O.R. team to design their own Logo and they did!

Congratulations go to RT Marta De Andrade for creating this beautiful design! Her logo highlights the value of teamwork through ‘working together in rhythm’, which offers far greater benefits such as empowerment, fostering respect and excelling.

Marta proudly states that her "inspiration for the Logo originates in the JGH Operating Room staff, itself a closely knit family, made up of many specialty and supportive services working seamlessly together. For this reason the shape of the Logo is a circle, as it represents our unity as a highly skilled and conscientious team.I am proud to have designed the winning logo for the JGH Operating Room, but I am mostly proud to be part of a team of dedicated, compassionate and knowledgeable professionals."

Dr. Shannon Fraser, JGH Chief of General Surgery, was the recipient of the Outstanding Teacher (Post-Graduate Education) Award in the McGill Division of General Surgery. Shannon and her colleagues should all be acknowledged for making the JGH General Surgery rotation very popular among medical students and residents.